Rhinitis - The Pharmacist's role

Abstract

Rhinitis incorporates a group of disorders that may have diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms. These usually, but do not always involve an inflammatory component or mechanism. The typical symptoms experienced are rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal itching and/or nasal congestion. The underlying causes may include allergic, non-allergic or infective components, either alone or in combination. The essential element in making the diagnosis, is taking an appropriate and comprehensive history, including the patient’s main symptoms, so that treatment can to be tailored to the individual patient’s symptom complex.